BFBS Sitrep

Donald Trump’s tried to take Ukraine’s future out of its own hands by opening negotiations with Russia, and telling Kyiv that NATO membership and getting all of its land back are hopeless ambitions.

So what should Ukraine do now? Could focussing on the fight still improve its negotiating position, or has it reached its high watermark in the war? Professor Michael Clarke and retired General Sir Richard Shirreff assess the battlefield balance of power.

America’s Defence Secretary says “stark strategic realities prevent the United States from being primarily focused on Europe”. The UK’s stepping up as the US steps back, but how much more will we do to lead from the front?

And as some of the world’s most powerful defence and security figures gather at the Munich Security Conference Sitrep explains why this private talking shop has become a marketplace for some of the world’s most consequential decisions.

Donald Trump’s tried to take Ukraine’s future out of its own hands by opening negotiations with Russia, and telling Kyiv that NATO membership and getting all of its land back are hopeless ambitions.

So what should Ukraine do now? Could focussing on the fight still improve its negotiating position, or has it reached its high watermark in the war? Professor Michael Clarke and retired General Sir Richard Shirreff assess the battlefield balance of power.

America’s Defence Secretary says “stark strategic realities prevent the United States from being primarily focused on Europe”. The UK’s stepping up as the US steps back, but how much more will we do to lead from the front?

And as some of the world’s most powerful defence and security figures gather at the Munich Security Conference Sitrep explains why this private talking shop has become a marketplace for some of the world’s most consequential decisions.

Keir Starmer wants a post-brexit reset with the EU, and he thinks it should start with “an ambitious partnership” on defence and security.

But would it help our Armed Forces when we already have NATO? Former Army officer Ed Arnold explains how both the EU and NATO could give us more bang-for-our-buck, as well as the potential pitfalls.

British troops are showing partnership in action in Estonia on NATO’s biggest cold weather exercise, Winter Camp.  Sitrep hears from some of those taking part and BFBS reporter David Sivills-McCann explains what it’s all about.

And 25 years since the ban on gay and bisexual people serving in the Armed Forces was lifted, the Defence Secretary who made the change talks in detail for the first time about whether the government was forced to do it, or really believed it was the right thing.

Keir Starmer wants a post-brexit reset with the EU, and he thinks it should start with “an ambitious partnership” on defence and security.

But would it help our Armed Forces when we already have NATO? Former Army officer Ed Arnold explains how both the EU and NATO could give us more bang-for-our-buck, as well as the potential pitfalls.

British troops are showing partnership in action in Estonia on NATO’s biggest cold weather exercise, Winter Camp.  Sitrep hears from some of those taking part and BFBS reporter David Sivills-McCann explains what it’s all about.

And 25 years since the ban on gay and bisexual people serving in the Armed Forces was lifted, the Defence Secretary who made the change talks in detail for the first time about whether the government was forced to do it, or really believed it was the right thing.

Donald Trump wants NATO members to spend 5% of their national income on Defence, the UK is years away from meeting half that target.

Is 5% a realistic figure, given that we did it back in the cold war, or would that simply be spending money for the sake of it?  Mike does some reality checking, and Kate talks to Labour MP Luke Akehurst who says the current UK ambition of 2.5% should “just be the start of the conversation”.

One demand from some who want more spent on Defence is better protection from missiles.  Claire Sadler explains the options, and how far we can or can’t defeat missiles.

And after the right-royal row about the renaming of a submarine, from HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles, we explain who chooses the names of Royal Navy vessels, and how.

Donald Trump wants NATO members to spend 5% of their national income on Defence, the UK is years away from meeting half that target.

Is 5% a realistic figure, given that we did it back in the cold war, or would that simply be spending money for the sake of it?  Mike does some reality checking, and Kate talks to Labour MP Luke Akehurst who says the current UK ambition of 2.5% should “just be the start of the conversation”.

One demand from some who want more spent on Defence is better protection from missiles.  Claire Sadler explains the options, and how far we can or can’t defeat missiles.

And after the right-royal row about the renaming of a submarine, from HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles, we explain who chooses the names of Royal Navy vessels, and how.

The defence secretary John Healey sends a message to Russia’s President Putin warning him we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country. It’s after a Russian spy ship is spotted for a second time in UK waters. On Sitrep, we discuss the creeping threat of hybrid warfare.

Why is the US preparing for potential conflict with China by 2027? Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia, Alessio Patalano, who’s also a visiting fellow at the Royal Navy Centre for Strategic Studies, explains the significance of the date.

And it’s a highbrow, high-tech chance to hear about the latest developments in the machinery of war.  Sitrep’s Claire Sadler has been at the International Armoured Vehicles conference for Sitrep.

The defence secretary John Healey sends a message to Russia’s President Putin warning him we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country. It’s after a Russian spy ship is spotted for a second time in UK waters. On Sitrep, we discuss the creeping threat of hybrid warfare.

Why is the US preparing for potential conflict with China by 2027? Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia, Alessio Patalano, who’s also a visiting fellow at the Royal Navy Centre for Strategic Studies, explains the significance of the date.

And it’s a highbrow, high-tech chance to hear about the latest developments in the machinery of war.  Sitrep’s Claire Sadler has been at the International Armoured Vehicles conference for Sitrep.

The Ministry Of Defence is given a stark warning that it needs to play catch-up and should learn from Ukraine’s use of AI on the battlefield. So what is Ukraine using? What happens if Britain doesn’t get a grip? And what could that mean for our troops on the battlefield? Sitrep’s Ukraine reporter Simon Newton and Assistant Director of the defence team at Rand Europe, James Black, discuss the Defence Committee report. 

It’s the biggest step up a soldier will make in their Army career - getting their first stripe and promotion to Lance Corporal.  So when Sitrep’s Sofie Cacoyannis was granted exclusive access to the selection course in Cyprus, it was a unique opportunity to record the highs and the lows of the entire 7 week experience. 

And what makes a good spy? We delve into the latest declassified documents with instructions on appearance, disguise and how to follow targets. 

The Ministry Of Defence is given a stark warning that it needs to play catch-up and should learn from Ukraine’s use of AI on the battlefield. So what is Ukraine using? What happens if Britain doesn’t get a grip? And what could that mean for our troops on the battlefield? Sitrep’s Ukraine reporter Simon Newton and Assistant Director of the defence team at Rand Europe, James Black, discuss the Defence Committee report. 

It’s the biggest step up a soldier will make in their Army career - getting their first stripe and promotion to Lance Corporal.  So when Sitrep’s Sofie Cacoyannis was granted exclusive access to the selection course in Cyprus, it was a unique opportunity to record the highs and the lows of the entire 7 week experience. 

And what makes a good spy? We delve into the latest declassified documents with instructions on appearance, disguise and how to follow targets.